Imprint

　　It’s often said that memory declines as we age. Yet, when everyone comes together to write their "memoirs," it becomes clear that it’s often the older generation who can produce the most extensive accounts. Seeing their memoirs frequently spanning tens of thousands of words, one can’t help but marvel at their remarkable memory. Of course, attributing this solely to memory would be too simplistic—more likely, it reflects a lifetime of experiences and the depth of reflection that comes with time.

　　Think about the past decade or so since you joined "Da Di"—perhaps there aren’t any particularly brilliant achievements etched into the company’s 20-year milestone ledger, but subtle traces of your contributions still remain.

　　Becoming connected with "Da Di" dates back to the last century. Back then, I was just like Wang Feng's song "In Springtime"—I didn’t have a credit card, nor did I have her—or even a home with 24-hour hot water. I rode an old, battered bicycle straight to the company for my job interview. The one who greeted me was none other than Director Wan today, while the interviews were conducted first by General Manager Xian, and later by General Manager Li. The process wasn’t complicated at all; by the next day, I had officially become part of "Da Di." And before I knew it, those thirteen years have already slipped by.

　　Over the years, I’ve worked in many departments—ranging from quality control, to technology, to marketing, planning, and finally sales—and then back again to quality control. It’s been quite a journey, circling around only to return to where it all began. When I first joined the company, my academic background was in organic chemistry, so naturally, I ended up working in quality control. Most of the raw materials we handled were organic compounds, and I already had a solid professional foundation when it came to testing their standard indicators. After spending enough time on these tests and becoming thoroughly familiar with the materials, I moved to the technology department, where I started diving deeper into understanding our products. Of course, during those early years, the company was small, so there wasn’t always a clear distinction between the technology and quality control teams. Once I gained a strong grasp of the products, I transitioned to the marketing department, where I took charge of product promotion and even helped craft various product-related materials. Later, when the company established its own planning department, I stepped in to handle advertising, packaging design, website development, newspaper and bulletin board creations, as well as brochures—activities that truly marked my presence in “Dadi’s” history. It was during this period that I had the privilege of designing key projects, including the inaugural issue of the “Voice of Dadi” newspaper, the company’s very first website, the eye-catching packaging for our flagship product “Dadi Xiang 312,” the creation of the iconic “Dadi Ren” bulletin boards, and countless other magazine ads. Afterward, feeling it was time for new challenges, I proactively requested a transfer to the marketing team and landed in the East China market. Though my tenure there wasn’t long—just three years—I traveled extensively across the region and encountered countless people along the way. These experiences, combined with my earlier years spent immersed in books and knowledge, seemed to finally complete the “single plank” of my life: having both broadened my horizons through real-world exposure and deepened my expertise through dedicated study. Returning to the company afterward, I brought with me a refreshed perspective and a renewed sense of purpose. My efforts didn’t go unnoticed; under my leadership, the quality control department underwent significant transformation, becoming one of the company’s standout features in external presentations. Moreover, I was fortunate enough to seize opportunities during the company’s 20th-anniversary celebration—a series of lectures and a grand gala event—to step onto the stage and showcase my talents, leaving an indelible mark on this milestone moment in Dadi’s storied journey.

　　Think about this process—on the surface, it seems like a young man constantly searching for his place, but isn’t it really just the journey of a boy becoming a man? Of course, along the way, that same young man even grows into being the father of another young man.

　　Memories, still just memories. That year, shortly after joining the company, "The Great Emperor" was barely ten years old. Even within the industry, "professionals" had already declared that feed flavorings were a product of the feed industry's early, formative stages—and as China's feed industry continued to evolve, this sector was now entering its "sunset phase." Hearing those words, I honestly felt at the time like I’d somehow "chosen the wrong career," yet secretly I was relieved I wasn’t a woman. After all, switching careers isn’t like remarrying; you can try it a few times without too much harm, right?

　　However, after more than a decade of ups and downs, the company’s current challenges no longer revolve around whether the feed flavoring industry is coming to an end—but rather how to ensure that each and every snowflake-like order is "delivered" on time. Of course, I haven’t been laid off, nor have I “changed careers”; I’ve simply shifted between a few different roles.

　　For more than a decade, I’ve witnessed the company’s annual sales soar from 500 tons to 5,000 tons, with revenue surpassing 150 million yuan. Yet, Dadi has never paused in its relentless pursuit of progress.

　　We also see that along the path ahead, some people come, while others depart. Yet whether they arrive or leave, they all leave behind faint "traces"—some deep, some shallow, some long, some short—yet each one undeniably real and present. And it is precisely these traces that have written the historic chapters of the "Great Emperor."

　　Of course, the road ahead tomorrow is still long—everything that’s passed has already become history. I just hope that one day, when we’re all growing old, we’ll find comfort and companionship in the warmth of spring. So let’s keep striving! Let’s pour our youth and sweat into making the next 20 years of “The Emperor” even more brilliant.